China’s Anti-Corruption Body Holds Mid-Year Session

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held its 6th Plenary Session on August 22 in Beijing, marking the first time since 2012 that the party’s top anti-corruption body has convened a plenary session mid-year rather than in January. The session, attended by 116 of the commission’s 132 living members, elected two new deputy secretaries and released an official communique outlining priorities for the next phase of work, according to Xinhua News.

Context: A Departure from Convention

The 6th Plenary Session’s timing is highly unusual. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, CCDI plenary sessions have consistently been held in January, typically spanning two to three days. The decision to convene in August signals urgency in addressing personnel changes and internal matters within the commission itself.

Attendance figures have been steadily declining across successive sessions. The 2nd Plenary Session in January 2023 drew 127 of 133 members; the 3rd session in January 2024 saw 132 attendees; the 4th session in January 2025 had 131; and the 5th session in January 2026 dropped to 120. The 6th session’s 116 attendees represent a new low since the 18th National Congress, as Lianhe Zaobao reported. The commission currently has 133 members, one of whom is deceased.

Leadership Changes

In accordance with the Party Constitution, the plenary session elected Zhao Shiyong as Deputy Secretary of the CCDI and Zhang Zhong as both Standing Committee member and Deputy Secretary, according to the communique published by Xinhua. Both officials bring extensive experience from Jiangsu Province and have been promoted to the ministerial level.

Zhao Shiyong, 60, previously served as a Standing Committee member of the CCDI, a member of the National Supervisory Commission, and Director of the CCDI Organization Department. His career includes roles as Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province and Standing Committee member of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee.

Zhang Zhong, 58, previously served as Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Supervisory Commission. At 58, he becomes the youngest CCDI Deputy Secretary and the first born after 1965 to hold the position, as detailed by Caixin.

The new appointments fill vacancies left by former Deputy Secretaries Xiao Pei and Fu Kui, both of whom were seated in the audience rather than on the podium during the session, according to CCTV footage. Xiao Pei had already transitioned to a role as Deputy Director of the CPPCC Social and Legal Affairs Committee in June, while Fu Kui’s departure had been anticipated following his absence from recent Standing Committee meetings.

Theoretical Framework and Policy Priorities

The communique places significant emphasis on “Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building” (习近平党建思想), describing it as “the party-building chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and “a systematic summary and theoretical elevation of the practical experience of comprehensively governing the party with strict discipline in the new era.” This marks a notable elevation of the framework, which has been formally promoted since 2026 and positions Xi’s ideas on party building as a distinct component of his broader ideological system.

The session reviewed the CCDI’s work in the first half of 2026 and set requirements for the next phase, emphasizing several key priorities: strengthening political supervision, deepening political inspection tours, and - notably - “strictly enforcing discipline during leadership transitions” (严明换届纪律). This language is significant given the upcoming 21st CPC National Congress expected in 2027, suggesting the CCDI will play a central role in managing personnel transitions associated with the Party Congress.

The communique also reiterated the commission’s commitment to “forging a loyal, clean, responsible, and courageous discipline inspection and supervision iron army” and continuing the “Year of Standardization, Rule of Law, and Regularization of Discipline Inspection and Supervision Work” initiative.

Broader Anti-Corruption Campaign

The 6th Plenary Session follows a period of intensified anti-corruption activity. At the 5th Plenary Session in January, Xi Jinping delivered a major speech warning that “corruption is a roadblock and stumbling block in the development of the Party and the country” and that “the anti-corruption fight is a major struggle that cannot be lost and must not be lost,” as Xinhua reported.

In 2025, the CCDI investigated 181 officials at the provincial/ministerial level. The campaign has continued into 2026 with several high-profile investigations, including Zhou Liang, Vice Chairman of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, and Li Xiaohong, former Director of the Central Inspection Work Leading Group Office.

Analysis: Implications for Party Governance

The unprecedented timing of the 6th Plenary Session and the declining attendance figures point to significant internal dynamics within the CCDI as it prepares for the 21st Party Congress. The promotion of Zhao Shiyong and Zhang Zhong - both with Jiangsu backgrounds - represents a notable shift in the commission’s leadership configuration, aligning with broader trends of promoting younger officials ahead of the leadership transition.

According to the Wikipedia entry on the 20th CCDI, the commission’s membership has seen a steady erosion since its establishment in October 2022, with several members having been removed or investigated. The 6th session’s attendance of 116 out of 132 living members means roughly 12% of the commission’s membership was absent.

The communique’s emphasis on “Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building” as a distinct theoretical framework signals that this concept will likely be further developed and promoted ahead of the 21st Party Congress, cementing Xi’s ideological legacy within the party’s governance structure.

What to Watch For

As China moves toward the 21st CPC National Congress expected in 2027, several questions remain: What prompted the unprecedented mid-year plenary session? What are the specific circumstances surrounding the departures of Xiao Pei and Fu Kui? And how will the new leadership configuration affect the CCDI’s operations during the critical transition period?

The communique’s explicit reference to “strictly enforcing transition discipline” suggests the CCDI will take an active role in managing the personnel reshuffling ahead of the Party Congress, potentially signaling continued high-pressure anti-corruption efforts focused on ensuring orderly leadership transitions.